This Week’s New Wide Releases

This Week’s New Limited Release

3, 2, 1…Frankie Go BoomExcuse Me for LivingLeast Among SaintsMiddle of NowhereNobody WalksPhotographic MemorySimon and the OaksSmashedSpecial ForcesWar of the Buttons

Box Office Prediction Increments

$50 million or higher – $5 million increments

$25 million to $49 million – $1 million increments

$5 million to $24.5 million – $500,000 increments

$4.9 million or lower – $100,000 increments

Last Week’s Results

It’s the kind of result you groan about as a critic. The poorly reviewed sequel to the surprise box office hit Taken, called simply Taken 2, has not only taken the top spot, it did so with just under $50 million. That means we are undoubtedly going to be burdened with a raft of unnecessary sequels, many of which will have as little quality as the sequel. Even though I personally root against Tim Burton’s success, I would rather have had a film that we critics (in general) like topping the box office (not coming in fourth) than something of dubious quality. After recent positive trends for good and great movies beating out bland, forgettable ones, the trend seems to be taking a hit.